Ezra 10:17 - They finished with all the men who had married foreign women by the first day of the first month.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Ezra 10:17" mean?
Ezra 10:17 states: "They finished with all the men who had married foreign women by the first day of the first month."
This verse refers to the completion of a process spurred by Ezra's grief and action regarding the Israelite men marrying foreign women (who were not of the Israelite faith). Here's a breakdown of what it likely means:
Context: The Book of Ezra describes the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem and their efforts to rebuild the Temple and restore proper worship of God. Ezra discovered that many Israelite men had married women from the surrounding nations. This was seen as a serious violation of God's law, which forbade intermarriage with people who worshipped other gods (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). The concern was that these foreign wives would lead the Israelites away from their covenant with God and back into idolatry.
"They finished...": This refers to a group of appointed officials and judges (mentioned earlier in the chapter) who were tasked with investigating and resolving these cases of intermarriage.
"all the men who had married foreign women": This is the target group of the investigation. These were Israelite men who had taken wives from nations that did not worship the God of Israel.
"by the first day of the first month": This provides a timeframe. It means that the process of identifying these men, hearing their cases, and implementing the prescribed solutions was completed by the beginning of the new religious year. The "first month" is Nisan, which corresponds to March/April on our calendar. This indicates a relatively swift and organized process.
What "finished" likely entailed: While the verse doesn't spell out the exact process, based on the context of Ezra 10 and the preceding chapters, "finished" likely included the following:
Identification: Identifying all the men who had married foreign women.
Confession and Repentance: The men were required to confess their sin and repent. Ezra 10:11 says, "Now make confession to the Lord, the God of your fathers, and do his will. Separate yourselves from the peoples of the land and from your foreign wives.”
Divorce/Separation: The most controversial aspect is that these men were compelled to divorce their foreign wives and send them away, along with their children. This action was taken to purify the community and prevent further religious compromise. This part is particularly sensitive because it involved breaking up families.
In summary, Ezra 10:17 signifies the completion of a difficult and painful process. By the beginning of the religious year, the appointed officials had finished dealing with the Israelite men who had married foreign women, which likely involved requiring them to separate from their wives and children to maintain the purity of the Israelite community and their devotion to God.
Important Considerations:
Ethical Implications: The forced divorce is a morally complex issue that has been debated for centuries. Modern readers often question the ethics of such actions, especially considering the impact on the women and children involved.
Purpose: The action was motivated by a deep concern for preserving the religious identity of the Israelite people and maintaining their covenant relationship with God.
Historical Context: It is crucial to understand this verse within its historical context, where religious purity and national identity were closely intertwined.
This verse is a reminder of the struggles faced by the returning exiles as they sought to rebuild their society and remain faithful to God's law. It also highlights the importance of understanding the historical and cultural context when interpreting biblical texts, especially those that deal with morally challenging situations.
Ezra 10:17 - They finished with all the men who had married foreign women by the first day of the first month.
What does "Ezra 10:17" mean?
Ezra 10:17 states: "They finished with all the men who had married foreign women by the first day of the first month."
This verse refers to the completion of a process spurred by Ezra's grief and action regarding the Israelite men marrying foreign women (who were not of the Israelite faith). Here's a breakdown of what it likely means:
Context: The Book of Ezra describes the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem and their efforts to rebuild the Temple and restore proper worship of God. Ezra discovered that many Israelite men had married women from the surrounding nations. This was seen as a serious violation of God's law, which forbade intermarriage with people who worshipped other gods (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). The concern was that these foreign wives would lead the Israelites away from their covenant with God and back into idolatry.
"They finished...": This refers to a group of appointed officials and judges (mentioned earlier in the chapter) who were tasked with investigating and resolving these cases of intermarriage.
"all the men who had married foreign women": This is the target group of the investigation. These were Israelite men who had taken wives from nations that did not worship the God of Israel.
"by the first day of the first month": This provides a timeframe. It means that the process of identifying these men, hearing their cases, and implementing the prescribed solutions was completed by the beginning of the new religious year. The "first month" is Nisan, which corresponds to March/April on our calendar. This indicates a relatively swift and organized process.
What "finished" likely entailed: While the verse doesn't spell out the exact process, based on the context of Ezra 10 and the preceding chapters, "finished" likely included the following:
Identification: Identifying all the men who had married foreign women.
Confession and Repentance: The men were required to confess their sin and repent. Ezra 10:11 says, "Now make confession to the Lord, the God of your fathers, and do his will. Separate yourselves from the peoples of the land and from your foreign wives.”
Divorce/Separation: The most controversial aspect is that these men were compelled to divorce their foreign wives and send them away, along with their children. This action was taken to purify the community and prevent further religious compromise. This part is particularly sensitive because it involved breaking up families.
In summary, Ezra 10:17 signifies the completion of a difficult and painful process. By the beginning of the religious year, the appointed officials had finished dealing with the Israelite men who had married foreign women, which likely involved requiring them to separate from their wives and children to maintain the purity of the Israelite community and their devotion to God.
Important Considerations:
Ethical Implications: The forced divorce is a morally complex issue that has been debated for centuries. Modern readers often question the ethics of such actions, especially considering the impact on the women and children involved.
Purpose: The action was motivated by a deep concern for preserving the religious identity of the Israelite people and maintaining their covenant relationship with God.
Historical Context: It is crucial to understand this verse within its historical context, where religious purity and national identity were closely intertwined.
This verse is a reminder of the struggles faced by the returning exiles as they sought to rebuild their society and remain faithful to God's law. It also highlights the importance of understanding the historical and cultural context when interpreting biblical texts, especially those that deal with morally challenging situations.